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If your household is like mine, it is difficult to keep track of everyone's busy schedules. Try placing a heavy magnetic clip for each child on the side of the refrigerator. When they bring home notes from school for one of their activities, read them over and highlight any important dates or supplies needed with a bright marker. Then attach the papers to the appropriate child's clip in order by date, with the most immediate on top. It is easy to check each day by glancing at the top sheets to be reminded of upcoming needs and to avoid missing deadlines. You may want to add one for the adults in the household as well!
This tip is really original and is sent in by Michelle S. aka SheLLe. (Yes, this is the one I lost and couldn't find--thanks for resending it!) This is her letter:
Last year, when my son was in kindergarten, I had him help me make a "list" for getting ready for school each morning. Since he could not really read yet, and wanted to do it all by himself, I drew a stick-boy that was representative of him, which illustrated the things he was supposed to be doing. (example: a picture of him sitting on the side of his bed yawning
with a clock next to it with hands pointing to 7:30 which was what time I would get him up. Next, it was him at the kitchen table with a bowl of cereal, with a clock pointing to 7:45 which was the time he should have been about finished eating) This clock thing also helps with the concept of time, and early and late, and helps him learn how to tell the time! As they
progress in the school year, we can write simple words on the paper, then next year, you can eliminate the pictures!!! I also slipped the paper in a clear plastic document protector, so he can take it with him while he completes each task, (washing his face, brushing teeth,) so it doesn't get wet.
Hope my idea helps, it really works for my boy. and I don't have to YELL ANYMORE!!
Linda, one of our new Moms, came up with this fun way to provide children with back-to-school supplies. She writes, "I work with kids in a foster home and have done this with my own and neighbor kids. I think I got this idea from Family Circle Magazine; but it is really fun--not just for the kids---but me too! I get all kinds of school supplies and we play bingo for prizes.Simple as that--the kids love it--I love it! All ages can play--and in the end everyone gets something, whether winning or losing!"
Keep non-perishable school lunch items (individually wrapped
snacks, small boxes of raisins, etc.) in a big basket on a low
shelf, along with a jar of coins for milk money. Kids just need to
add a sandwich, and lunch is ready to go.
As a teacher I can personally attest to the effectiveness of this tip. Your child's teacher will love you for it!
At the beginning of each school year, provide your child's teacher with several
pre-stamped, pre-addressed postcards directed to your attention. (The number can range from 4 up, depending on your grading periods and number of conferences throughout the year.) The purpose of this small task is to let the teacher know that you are a
parent who wishes to hear about things before conferences. It
takes very little of the teacher's time, and it's a great way to get
involved in the teaching of your child and at the same time form a partnership
between home and school.
Brooke sends us a tip for those moms with new babies. If your infant has cradle cap(that is dried skin on his/her head)
rub baby oil on it and rub off the dead skin with an old (soft) toothbrush!
This tip comes from Tina. She writes,"I found a great way to lower the mess of painting with watercolors, and
it is a simple solution: use a convenience store or fast food
restaurant cup with a lid, and stick the brush through the straw hole, a lot less water gets everywhere!"
This fun tip comes from Carla. If you have small children, you know that when one has a birthday, the other frequently feels left out. Carla and her family remedied this by celebrating a "half birthday." On the half birthday (a family celebration--no guests!) they would get half of a cake (baked by mom) and very small presents like special pencils, match box cars, coloring books, etc. The decorations were made by siblings. Just getting a little special attention for themselves was what made this important. Carla adds that her kids are grown now, but they still remember having their half-birthday parties and have continued the tradition with their own kids!
Carol, who is not a member of MOTW, visited this site and wanted to share some ideas with us. She is the mother of triplets and twins, so you know that she is bound to have some good motherhood tips! Her best time-saving tip is to use a pizza wheel to cut pancakes, French toast, grilled cheese sandwiches, and toast. She also uses her kitchen scissors for cutting up steak and chicken now that her children are older.
I think we all have experienced the frustration of doing a load of wash, only to find several "odd" socks with no mates. You KNOW that you put them in the washer! Monica has a solution for us: throw away the ONE sock that is left. She promises us that the lost one will turn up in a day or so! I can assure you this method has been tried and tested at our house, and it works every time! *smile*
From Cuddlebug~~For perspiration stains: Sponge fresh stain with ammonia; old stain with vinegar. Pre-soak in cold or warm water and rinse. Wash in the hottest water possible that is safe for the fabric. If the fabric is yellowed, use bleach. If the stain still remains, dampen and sprinkle with meat tenderizer, or pepsin. Let stand for one hour. Brush off and wash. For persistent odor, sponge with colorless mouthwash.
From Lavender~~"When our ten-year-old son was about three, he was terrified of the
dark. He wouldn't go to bed at night without a light on, which kept him
awake. I went
out and bought a spray bottle and some stickers of funny looking
creatures. I put the stickers on the spray bottle, filled it with
water, put a dab of perfume in it, and called it our monster spray. Each
evening before bed, we took our son and sprayed every conceivable place
a monster might hide with the monster spray. This helped our son go to
sleep, confident that no monsters could get him."
From Krista~~To help contain those blowouts, put a waterproof lap pad on your changing pad.
If it gets dirty, you can just toss it in the wash and it saves those
expensive changing pads from wear and tear.
From
Kimba~~ She writes, "My Father-in-law found this in a newspaper. He thought it was so
cool that he enlarged it and framed it for us. I hung it in our room, and whenever the going gets rough with our daughter (she's two now, lots of those tantrums!) I read it and get some ideas!"
How to really love a child...Be there. Say yes as often as possible. Let them bang on pots and pans. If they're crabby, put them in water. If they're unlovable, love yourself. Realize how important it is to be a child. Go to a movie theatre in your pajamas. Read books out loud with joy. Invent pleasures
together. Remember how really small they are. Giggle a lot. Surprise them. Say no when necessary. Teach feelings. Heal your own innner child. Learn about parenting. Hug trees together. Make loving safe. Bake a cake and eat it with no hands. Go find elephants and kiss them. Plan to build a rocketship. Imagine yourself magic. Make lots of forts with blankets. Let your angel fly. Reveal your own deams. Search out the positive. Keep
the gleam in your eye. Mail letters to God. Encourage silliniess. Plant licorice in your garden. Open up. Stop yelling. Express your love. A lot. Speak kindly. Paint their tennis shoes. Handle with caring. Children are miraculous.
If you have a tip that you would like to submit, or if there is something you need help with, please E-MAIL BARBY!
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